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Barnyard Buddies:  Rescue Horses  |
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ashcordes
True Blue Farmgirl
197 Posts
Ashley
Roann
IN
USA
197 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 21 2007 : 06:30:32 AM
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Anyone here have a rescue horse...we have several sites in Indiana that you can get a rescue horse for the cost of approximately $200-500, I would so love the opportunity to give one of these needy horses a loving home for life...but wondered if anyone here has had a bad experience. This horse would need to be kid friendly as I want to get my children used to horses and my daughter is only 1 1/2 right now. I would also like to try to get a horse I would be able to barrel race as there are contests in my area weekly.
Any and all advice is greatly appreciated! |
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2007 : 06:58:17 AM
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We have had two rescue horses and they at first need lots of time and just quietness so they could realize that we meant them no harm. One was so skinny and neglected that he had no energy and we had to just build him up with good food and positive reinforcement and the other was also neglected but fed ok just no human interactment. My girls were in 4H at the time and I used to say "nothing better than a kid raised horse" It worked for those two horses. It all takes time. MB
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
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vintagechica
True Blue Farmgirl
438 Posts
Eren
Poolville
TX
USA
438 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2007 : 08:22:52 AM
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I would think MB is right...just like any rescue animal. Depends on the animal and what they had been through in their previous life.
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A sure way to avoid housework...live outdoors.
Visit me anytime at my blog:
www.vintagechica.typepad.com |
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2007 : 11:44:52 AM
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I don't have rescue horses at my home but I provide for 2 wild horses out west w/ Return to Freedom. It's the American Wild Horse Sanctuary. I've done different ones & it's the next best thing when you can't own one. Someday I hope to rescue a horse, I'll have to board it but thats fine w/ me. I just want to ride!! A few years back I adopted a Dolphin. I also love whales & dolphins & wanted to help them too. it gets expensive but I do it as often as possible.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2007 : 6:18:08 PM
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I have rescued many, many horses and if this is your first horse or close to it, my advice would be to find a horse in good shape already and go from there. This isn't a case of heartstrings. Please go to someone locally who knows horses (not just read books) and let them find you a horse.
Bringing a horse back from the edge is more costly than just buying a good horse. Also, I've bought thin, skinny ones that were pretty drab and once they got to feeling pretty good, turned into bundles of energy. You never know what youa re going to get.
As an aside, I've owned over 750 head of horses and had my own show training barn. I have almost 5 decades of horse handling and grew up on the family ranch and am a real cowgirl. Everything I ever say about horses is from my practical experience, not just reading books or watching videos. I'm adding this to let you know what my background is.
If you want more advice or talk to me, please let me know. I can talk horses ALL day!! Love them-thar boogers!!
Happy Trails :-)
Don't sweat the small stuff... |
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2007 : 6:41:12 PM
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I don't think reading books & watching videos allows us to give advice BUT for some of us... thats all we have & as close as were able to come for now!
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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Love-in-a-Mist
True Blue Farmgirl
367 Posts
Shannon
Independence
Oregon
USA
367 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2007 : 6:45:06 PM
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From my personal experience with having little kids and horses, you never have enough time for both. If I was starting again, I would save my money and get a well trained horse, with nothing wrong with it and no training problems. You'll save yourself alot of headaches.
Farmgirl and mother of 2
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2007 : 6:54:11 PM
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westernhorse51, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it as mean as it sounds!! I have a whole library of horse books and a few videos but what I was referring to was there have been people I've met who literally have read a couple of books and then called themselves trainers!! I can think of one lady who went to 'a' clinic, bought some books and hung out her shingle. But she had a way of talking to people that she could sell ice to an eskimo. Really good with words, was she!! I, along with some other trainers, picked up the pieces months later when she couldn't 'fix' the horses. That's what I was talking about. People got hurt and scared and dropped out of the horse scene mostly.
So, when I say you want someone who has practical experience with horses...a been there, done that sort of person!!
Happy Trails ;-)
Don't sweat the small stuff... |
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2007 : 7:00:38 PM
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it's ok Winona, Im just jealous! I've loved these animals all my 55 yrs. & I still don't own one yet! I ride when I can but I just love them so much, you know? For me books & videos are a must but I'd rather be an owner.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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Tracey
True Blue Farmgirl
766 Posts
Tracey
State of Confusion
USA
766 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2007 : 9:45:27 PM
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I totally agree with Winona here. There are several things to consider:
Is it a legitimate rescue? There are many folks out there trying to turn a quick buck and they really aren't interested in rescueing. In fact, some of them should have horses rescued from them. Keep that in mind while you're looking.
How much experience have you got? Many of these horses will come with issues, just like the dogs at the local shelter. They're not always healthy, and once you get them feeling good they may end up far more horse than you're able to handle (this I know from personal experience; my parents tried saving money twice when we were kids!) Some 'dealers' will drug the horse to make it appear like it's kid safe, too.
Finally...barrel racing a rescue horse...well, I'm sure it can be done, but you're going to need to really be selective about getting an animal that can compete; meaning it's going to have to be very sound, especially the hoof/leg. Then, a horse who loves barrels isn't always going to double as a kids horse.
I don't know what your background with horses is. I always recommend that people find a reputable stable and take a years worth of lessons before investing in a horse. This allows you (or your children) time to find out if the commitment is really what you want. And...no excuses saying you can't afford the lessons. If you can't, then you can't afford the horse. I've known tons of folks who've disregarded this advice only to find themselves with a horse they don't like and can't sell a year or two down the road. Lessons will give you practical experience, allowing you to enjoy your horse once you get one.
Visit Quiet Storm, our adopted Mustang! http://wildaboutquietstorm.com
http://carpentercreek.blogspot.com http://mustangdiaries.blogspot.com http://marbletownangels.blogspot.com
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2007 : 11:36:18 PM
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Winona and Tracey I am glad you 2 jumped in and told it like it is. I guess I sorta soft pedaled it. Also you can't get to really know a horse until you live with it 24/7. You cannot just visit a horse for an hour or two every other day and expect to really learn anything about it. When I said there is nothing like a kid broke horse I mean that in a way that my kids for example spent all their time with their horses. And you have to do that, specially with a special needs horse, which is what a rescue horse could be. . These horses are not only physically abused but mentally too. I could go on but you guys are more eloquent than I. MB
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
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Horseyrider
True Blue Farmgirl
1045 Posts
Mary Ann
Illinois
1045 Posts |
Posted - Feb 22 2007 : 06:56:22 AM
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Ashley, you've gotten some really good advice here. I feel I need to add that rescue horses often become rescue horses because they were unsellable. They either have an issue with chronic lameness, disposition, training, or some other big hole in them, and it was bad enough that no one would buy at any price. Some are abandoned and left to starve in fields that have inadequate forage and/or water, and others are top show horses that developed a problem big enough that they were discarded for a tax deduction. Many rescues are 503(c) not for profit places, and horses given to them can be declared a donation on the owner's taxes. Then the horse can be moved on to a more fitting job, and the often very expensive training stall can be freed up for another prospect more quickly.
Also, you should know that many horses that are very sweet when debilitated change their disposition radically when fed properly. The kind old grandmother broke horse can become a fire breathing dragon when it has proper nutrition. There are those horsemen who will starve such a horse into submission. So what you see is sometimes not what you get.
Just know that unsuitable horses, especially due to a mismatch of their training level and your skill level, can be extremely dangerous. I like the advice that Winona offered to take a skilled horse person with you to shop. They're going to see things in the management of the rescue, the history of the horse, the stance of the horse, how it moves and handles, etc, that would be lost on a person with less experience. There's an old saying among horsemen that 'green plus green equals black and blue,' so make sure the horse knows a lot more than you do, and is kind, calm, and generous with mistakes. The cheapest thing about a horse is it's purchase price; and most horses are less expensive than a hospital stay. So choose wisely. Further, the suggestion Tracey made of lessons would really enhance your enjoyment and and skill with a horse. You'd be shocked to find out how much there is to know; and you can never know it all.
I'm one of those who walks/talks/eats/sleeps/lives/breathes horses, and I love them with all my heart. But I have to tell you it's better to be horseless than to be poorly matched. Having horses is supposed to be fun and challenging. If it ever changes from that, sell it and get something else.
Well that's my .02!  |
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Feb 24 2007 : 10:15:18 AM
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Mary Ann, I went thru IL just day before yesterday but am in a big hurry!!
Marybeth, yep, the true horseman knows that the more you're around horses, the less you know. So when you run across someone who know it ALL, beware big time!! Just about the time I thought I had seen it all, along came a horse and/or situation that humbled me to the nth degree! Can't even begin to tell you how many times that's happened. Too embarrasing to admit...hehehe...
There is another saying, when you fall off 6 times, you're a rider, when you fall off 24 times, you're a horseman!
Just keep learning and listening!
Happy Trails :-)
Don't sweat the small stuff... |
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Tracey
True Blue Farmgirl
766 Posts
Tracey
State of Confusion
USA
766 Posts |
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Horseyrider
True Blue Farmgirl
1045 Posts
Mary Ann
Illinois
1045 Posts |
Posted - Feb 26 2007 : 05:05:13 AM
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| Around here, the tradition is that if someone comes off their horse, they have to bake cookies for all the observers. In our barn, we switched it; those that were entertained by the acrobatics had to bake. It cut down a lot on the teasing because people would quickly turn away and say "I didn't see that...." |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Feb 26 2007 : 07:19:43 AM
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hehehe... Yeah, the idea is that if you haven't fallen off, you haven't ridden a horse too long. Everyone comes off at some point!! Actually, I think I had the saying wrong, it's more like 'when you fall off 6 times, you're a novice, 12 times and you're a rider, 24 times and you're a horseman!!'
It's an old, old saying from the distand past. I've read it in old horse books. Another saying is 'it's never the horse, but the rider's fault', which is true.
One that gets me in the gizzard is when someone says they can get along with every horse that comes down the pike. If they can, they haven't been around horses too long either. A horseman knows there are horses they can't get on with.
I'm in the horseman catagory from the falling off!! hehehehe
Happy Trails ;-)
Don't sweat the small stuff...
http://goneridingagain.bravehost.com |
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Barnyard Buddies: Rescue Horses |
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Rescue Horses
I'm either a horseman or really bad...